Implementation matters: program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions in Anambra and Kebbi States, Nigeria

Background: Undernutrition in early childhood can be reduced when large-scale, nutrition-sensitive programs are delivered with adequate dose, reach, fidelity, and recruitment. Objectives: This study (i) investigates the implementation and impact pathways of four nutrition-sensitive programs in Kebb...

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Autores principales: Ezekannagha, O., Drimie, S., von Fintel, D., Maziya-Dixon, B., Mbhenyane, X.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Informa UK Limited 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176688
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author Ezekannagha, O.
Drimie, S.
von Fintel, D.
Maziya-Dixon, B.
Mbhenyane, X.
author_browse Drimie, S.
Ezekannagha, O.
Maziya-Dixon, B.
Mbhenyane, X.
von Fintel, D.
author_facet Ezekannagha, O.
Drimie, S.
von Fintel, D.
Maziya-Dixon, B.
Mbhenyane, X.
author_sort Ezekannagha, O.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Background: Undernutrition in early childhood can be reduced when large-scale, nutrition-sensitive programs are delivered with adequate dose, reach, fidelity, and recruitment. Objectives: This study (i) investigates the implementation and impact pathways of four nutrition-sensitive programs in Kebbi and Anambra states, Nigeria: Early Childhood Development Education (ECCDE), Environmental Sanitation, Skills Acquisition, and Agricultural Transformation Support Program (ATASP-1) and (ii) identifies cross-sector factors that enable or hinder effective dose, reach, fidelity, and recruitment. Methods: The study employs qualitative methods such as document reviews, in-depth interviews, and site observations to explore the complexity of program delivery and the contextual factors that influence its outcomes. Results: All four programs showed dose–reach–fidelity–recruitment gaps in varying degrees: irregular training and equipment delayed dose; rural and low-income communities were least reached; weak quality control cut fidelity; and recruitment seldom penetrated remote areas. Barriers across sectors included insufficient infrastructure, shortages of trained personnel, and bureaucratic funding delays. Programs with robust community engagement, active multi-stakeholder collaboration, timely resource flow, and short ‘reviewandadapt’ cycles (ATASP1 in both states; ECCDE in Anambra) overcame many shortfalls, whereas those lacking these features underperformed (Environmental Sanitation in Anambra; Skills Acquisition in Kebbi). Conclusion: Closing Nigeria’s nutrition-sensitive implementation gap demands a dual response: fix tangible barriers – staffing, infrastructure, and procurement – and institutionalize community-led planning and adaptive management to keep dose–reach–fidelity–recruitment on track. Doing so will improve program reach and quality and accelerate progress against child undernutrition.
format Journal Article
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spelling CGSpace1766882026-01-23T13:45:16Z Implementation matters: program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions in Anambra and Kebbi States, Nigeria Ezekannagha, O. Drimie, S. von Fintel, D. Maziya-Dixon, B. Mbhenyane, X. capacity building community involvement nigeria Background: Undernutrition in early childhood can be reduced when large-scale, nutrition-sensitive programs are delivered with adequate dose, reach, fidelity, and recruitment. Objectives: This study (i) investigates the implementation and impact pathways of four nutrition-sensitive programs in Kebbi and Anambra states, Nigeria: Early Childhood Development Education (ECCDE), Environmental Sanitation, Skills Acquisition, and Agricultural Transformation Support Program (ATASP-1) and (ii) identifies cross-sector factors that enable or hinder effective dose, reach, fidelity, and recruitment. Methods: The study employs qualitative methods such as document reviews, in-depth interviews, and site observations to explore the complexity of program delivery and the contextual factors that influence its outcomes. Results: All four programs showed dose–reach–fidelity–recruitment gaps in varying degrees: irregular training and equipment delayed dose; rural and low-income communities were least reached; weak quality control cut fidelity; and recruitment seldom penetrated remote areas. Barriers across sectors included insufficient infrastructure, shortages of trained personnel, and bureaucratic funding delays. Programs with robust community engagement, active multi-stakeholder collaboration, timely resource flow, and short ‘reviewandadapt’ cycles (ATASP1 in both states; ECCDE in Anambra) overcame many shortfalls, whereas those lacking these features underperformed (Environmental Sanitation in Anambra; Skills Acquisition in Kebbi). Conclusion: Closing Nigeria’s nutrition-sensitive implementation gap demands a dual response: fix tangible barriers – staffing, infrastructure, and procurement – and institutionalize community-led planning and adaptive management to keep dose–reach–fidelity–recruitment on track. Doing so will improve program reach and quality and accelerate progress against child undernutrition. 2025-12-31 2025-09-26T09:24:55Z 2025-09-26T09:24:55Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176688 en Open Access application/pdf Informa UK Limited Ezekannagha, O., Drimie, S., Von Fintel, D., Maziya-Dixon, B. & Mbhenyane, X. (2025). Implementation matters: program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions in Anambra and Kebbi States, Nigeria. Global Health Action, 18(1): 2519677, 1-14.
spellingShingle capacity building
community involvement
nigeria
Ezekannagha, O.
Drimie, S.
von Fintel, D.
Maziya-Dixon, B.
Mbhenyane, X.
Implementation matters: program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions in Anambra and Kebbi States, Nigeria
title Implementation matters: program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions in Anambra and Kebbi States, Nigeria
title_full Implementation matters: program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions in Anambra and Kebbi States, Nigeria
title_fullStr Implementation matters: program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions in Anambra and Kebbi States, Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Implementation matters: program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions in Anambra and Kebbi States, Nigeria
title_short Implementation matters: program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition-sensitive interventions in Anambra and Kebbi States, Nigeria
title_sort implementation matters program impact pathway analysis of four sectoral nutrition sensitive interventions in anambra and kebbi states nigeria
topic capacity building
community involvement
nigeria
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176688
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